“Well I have ambitions of being a treasure hunter.” Adriana confessed.

“Really? How does one get into that business?” Garret asked.

“I heard there might be something to find in Casterdale. That is where I was heading.” Adriana said. “You could come with me.”

“I have to get my friend out and I have more treasure than I could spend already.” Garret said, “But was nice of you to offer.”

He said, “The hat looks good on you. Check that purse, make sure there is enough for you to get to Casterdale.”

Adriana opened the handbag and there was more money and jewelry than she’d seen in her life.

“I’m sure that will be plenty.” She said.

Garret walked Adriana back up to the train tracks before he gave her a hug and he started in the direction of Middletown. He told her if she followed the tracks, she’d be able to catch a train at the station in Fairville, only a mile away.

The walk was slow in her dress boots but she was determined to be the treasure hunter that finds the Jarvis treasure. Unlike train robbing, treasure hunting is legitimate work and jail time is not a fear. Adriana pondered on how if there were no robbers, there would be so fewer treasures. It is funny how it was illegal for them to take it but once it is found by someone else, it is completely ok. She wouldn’t have any problems selling or trading jewelry and gems as a famous treasure hunter.

The journey actually finished rather quickly as she walked up to a tiny train station. Fairville was hardly more than a post office and a bar. The few houses that she could see didn’t look very impressive and the only person she saw was the man she bought a ticket from.  He had given her a funny look since he didn’t know her and didn’t know where she’d come from but he exchange pleasantries and didn’t ask questions.

The train pulled up and Adriana was happy to once again be boarding a train with a ticket. But as she stepped on, she noticed the ticket seller talking to an attendant. The attendant pulled out a wanted sign. Adriana didn’t have to know what it said to know that she needed to hide. Instead of sitting down in the coach car where she entered, she went straight into the next car, which this time happened to be a dining car. She passed through that one and through first class and passed the sleeping quarters. All of these had been connected for people to walk through. The next led to a big metal connection outside but she could see into the next car and it was luggage. She couldn’t get into this one from here. She had to jump down and go around to the side, slide open the luggage door and slip in.

Luckily the train had not begun moving. She hid in the corner behind a pile of luggage and waited. It seemed like forever before the train lurched forward. They must’ve given up looking for her. Certainly they had searched coach, first class and the dormitories but she was right to think they wouldn’t look in the luggage car.

She let the train movement lull her to sleep and awoke as the train pulled to a stop. She waited to see if she could hear where they were. The doors opened and a few more bags were thrown onto the car but none were removed. Adriana decided they must only be at Newton. She assumed more people would be getting off at the larger city of Casterdale.

When the train began chugging along again, Adriana thought about what she would do when she arrived. She’d need to find a place to stay, buy some more clothes and figure out how to get into the Jarvis house to find clues to the location of the treasure. She was thinking about herself opening up a giant chest of gold when the train slowed again.

When the train stopped and she heard the call for Casterdale, Adriana slid open the door she’d snuck into just a little. She could see people bustling back and forth. There was no way that she’d be able to sneak out unseen. So she opened the door on the other side. There was a brick wall but there was room for a person to walk as well. She gathered her purse, her hat and checked her holsters. Once satisfied she had everything, she slid out of the car, shutting the door just as an attendant opened the other side.

Adriana looked both ways. To her left, she could see more tracks and station. To the right, she saw at the end of the brick there was green grass and open sky. She hurried off to her right and found herself outside of a maintenance building. She began walking into the open grass when she realized she should find the town. She had money for boarding, she didn’t have to hide in a woods.

The train blocked her view of the station so she calmly waited until it moved on. She counted the fifty three cars as they crawled past her, gaining speed toward the end.

Adriana walked across the tracks and onto the bustling cobblestone in front of the station. She watched the people moving all over with baggage and tickets in their hands. She walked through these people and along the length of the station. Behind the station there were roads with homes and shops and a sign that read, “Welcome to Casterdale.”

Adriana walked into the general store and bought some soap and other necessities. Then she asked the cashier where she could find decent boarding. He told her there was a nice bed and breakfast down the street but she said she was looking to stay a while. He told her his sister had a room above the bookstore that she was looking to rent out for a reasonable price. He even rang his sister and told her to expect Adriana.

When Adriana entered the bookstore, she was amazed to see all the books in one place. She’d only read two in her life and didn’t realize so many existed. The cashier’s sister, Elizabeth, greeted her and showed her the room. It was much nicer than the one she’d had at the orphanage and she paid her two months in advance.  Adriana’s muscles ached from being cramped on the train and the bed looked so inviting. She washed up and went straight to bed. She dreamed of treasure in caves and trains coming off the tracks.

In the morning she rose early and bought a few outfits and had her gold dress cleaned. She also bought a paper. She read that a train robber, Harden Antilade was apprehended and imprisoned in Middletown and that there was a failed attempt to break him out which ended in the capture of another robber, Garett Spiney. They are awaiting trial.

Adriana thought about the caves, she could buy supplies and go back. But she did just commit to Casterdale for two months. She went to the local diner for breakfast and listened for any mention of Sean Jarvis. She’d finished eating and was about to leave when finally a conversation caught her attention.

The waitress said, “No one found anything up at the Jarvis place?”

A man said, “I went up there myself. The place is as clean as a whistle. The town already auctioned off all his possessions. The house will be auctioned today.”

“Oh, that’s right. What time was that again?” The waitress asked.

“One pm, today.” The man said.

“Are you going?” The waitress continued. But Adriana paid for her food and walked out.

She went to the town hall and inquired about the location of the Jarvis place and the time of the auction. The gentleman working there gave her a map and confirmed that the auction was at one pm.

Does Adriana

Try to buy the Jarvis place?

Go back to search for cave treasure?

Stay in her room above the bookshop and look for clues to the Jarvis treasure?

Go to the Beginning